143. Thus We have made you [true Muslims] a Wasat nation, that you be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger (Muhammad ) be a witness over you. And We made the Qiblah which you used to face, only to test those who followed the Messenger from those who would turn on their heels. Indeed it was great except for those whom Allah guided. And Allah would never make your faith (prayers) to be lost. Truly, Allah is full of kindness, the Most Merciful towards mankind.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir Volume 1, Page 428.

Indeed,

﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِالنَّاسِ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ﴾

(Truly, Allah is full of kindness, the Most Merciful towards mankind.)”

Furthermore, it is reported in the Sahih that Allah’s Messenger saw a woman among the captives who was separated from her child. Whenever she found a boy (infant) among the captives, she would hold him close to her chest, as she was looking for her boy. When she found her child, she embraced him and gave him her breast to nurse. Allah’s Messenger said:

(Do you think that this woman would willingly throw her son in the fire) They said, “No, O Messenger of Allah!” He said, (By Allah! Allah is more merciful with His servants than this woman with her son.)

Tafsir Ibn Kathir Volume 2, Page 145.

Allah then said, while bringing hope to His servants, so that they do not despair from His mercy or feel hopeless of His kindness,

﴿وَاللَّهُ رَءُوفٌ بِالْعِبَادِ﴾

(And Allah is full of kindness with the servants). Al-Hasan Al-Basri said, “Allah is so kind with them that He warns them against Himself.” Others commented, “He is merciful with His creation and likes for them to remain on His straight path and chosen religion, and to follow His honorable Messenger.”